Relative unknowns giving Dallas defense a good name

Dallas Cowboys' Eric Frampton, (27), and Danny McCray, (40), point in their favor after a punt return fumble by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the second half at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012. The Cowboys won 27-24 in overtime.

Photo By Sharon Ellman/Associated Press

New York Giants running back David Wilson (22) is taken down by a host of players including Dallas Cowboys strong safety Eric Frampton (27) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 28, 2012 in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Sharon Ellman)

Jeremy Maclin #18 of the Philadelphia Eagles cannot hang on to the ball as he is hit by Charlie Peprah #26 of the Dallas Cowboys on November 11, 2012 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) (Getty Images)

Jeremy Maclin #18 of the Philadelphia Eagles goes up for the catch but does not hang on to the ball as he is hit by Charlie Peprah #26 of the Dallas Cowboys on November 11, 2012 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) (Getty Images)

Dallas Cowboys' Brandon Carr, left, intercepts a pass intended for Philadelphia Eagles DeSean Jackson as Jackson is hit by Ernie Sims in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 11, 2012, in Philadelphia. Carr returned the interception 47 yards for a touchdown. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) (Associated Press)

Michael Turner #33 of the Atlanta Falcons drives into Josh Brent #92 and Ernie Sims #59 of the Dallas Cowboys at Georgia Dome on November 4, 2012 in Atlanta, Georgia.

Cowboys linebacker Ernie Sims (59) on the field during the first half of a NFL football game against the New York Giants Sunday, Oct. 28, 2012, in Arlington, Texas. The Giants defeated the Cowboys 29-24. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

One of the most intriguing aspects of the Dallas Cowboys' improbable late-season surge is that it's been done with a defense that coordinator Rob Ryan has seemingly held together with spare parts and chewing gum.

Two others also have been shelved: nose tackle Jay Ratliff, who had sports hernia surgery last week, and backup nose tackle Josh Brent, who is on the reserved/non-football injury list after being charged with intoxication manslaughter in connection with the one-vehicle accident that killed teammate Jerry Brown.

“I don't know half of them, but they're playing their butts off,” defensive end Jason Hatcher told reporters this week in Irving. “I learned Coe's name today. Sterling, No. 30, I learned his name today.”

Told Moore has been with the team since Dec. 1, Hatcher said, “Really? Shoot, I didn't know that one. My bad, Sterling.”

Despite all the strange faces, Dallas (8-6) has won three in a row and five of its past six to join the New York Giants and Washington in a three-way tie for first in the NFC East.

“We have overcome a lot,” Ryan said Friday. “We are playing better (defensively). We are not playing great, but we don't think it's going to look great all the time right now. We are just trying to play a good, sound game.”

“Our defensive staff has done an outstanding job, finding the right pieces and putting them in the right place while having to stop some of these offenses we have played,” Garrett said.

In last Sunday's 27-24 overtime win over Pittsburgh, Dallas also played without corner Morris Claiborne (concussion). But veteran Mike Jenkins started in his place, and Moore did a solid job in nickel situations.

Several other newcomers also contributed, including Schaefering and Coe. Despite joining the team last week, each logged 10 snaps.

Romo was amazed that one day after the Cowboys signed Moore off New England's practice squad, the SMU product saw action against Philadelphia on Dec. 2.

“I saw No. 30 the night before at our hotel,” Romo said. “I'm like, 'Hey, it's nice to have you on our team. Where you from? What do you do? Are you dressing tomorrow?' He just showed up at the team meeting the night before and the next day he's out there. I was like, this is interesting.”

Bottom line: It's one for all and all for one these days for the mishmash that is the Cowboys' defense.

“This is the closest team I've been on in any year I've been here, and I've been here eight years,” linebacker DeMarcus Ware told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. “It's really not about the name on the back of the jersey. It's about how all 11 guys get together, play together with that passion and intensity, and do the right things.

“That's what we've been doing, and this December, it's a whole different team.”